Welcome Michael Hartley

Welcome to Castlemaine’s new Senior Coach for season 2024, Michael Hartley.

Michael grew up in NSW before being selected by the Collingwood Football Club. He spent two years with Collingwood and showed great resilience to overcome some serious injuries.

Determined to get back on an AFL list he then went to Coburg for a further two seasons which included selection into the VFL team of the Year. Michael was selected 68th pick in the 2015 National Draft by the Essendon Football Club playing 44 AFL games with his ability to defend strongly & intercept a feature as well as a booming right foot. In 2019 Michael crossed to Hawthorn and played a further five AFL Matches.

All up Michael spent eight years in the AFL system.

In 2022 Michael played VFL with Collingwood Football Club & also developed his coaching by spending time with the AFLW program as a Development Coach. In 2023, Michael played the GVFNL with Seymour where he was acting as a playing Co-Coach.

“Upon meeting with the football club, I was really impressed with progress that the club had made & club’s vision / strategy going forward. I hope my experiences at the elite level can help accelerate the development of our playing list on & off the field”

Michael’s role at the club will extend beyond the Senior Men’s, with commitment to our Women's Program & Junior Programs ensuring a pipeline of talent will be coming through over the next few years.

Michael’s signing is a huge endorsement of faith in our broader football program & the vision we have.

We would like to officially welcome Michael, his lovely partner Tegan and their three kids Adeline, Fred and Tommy to the Castlemaine Football Netball Club!